Lamentable Cubs debut for Berken

Club's 12th starter this year rocked in 7-6 loss to Pirates

If it all starts with starting pitching — and that's something old and new schools of baseball thinkers seem to agree on — then the Cubs are in trouble for the near future.

Because of trades, injuries and ineffectiveness, Jason Berken became the 12th starter the Cubs have used this season. And his debut Saturday was forgettable in a 7-6 loss to the Pirates.

Two other starters, Chris Rusin and Brooks Raley have won their first big league games. The Cubs' winningest pitcher, Paul Maholm, has been with the Braves for six weeks.

At times, it seems as if the Cubs are conducting a tryout camp at the major league level.

"It's certainly a lot of opportunity for these guys," manager Dale Sveum said. "If everything had stood pat and everyone was healthy, you wouldn't have seen the Rusins and Raleys and some of these guys (obtained) on waivers.

"The more pitching you can get in the organization, guys who have pitched in the big leagues or are capable of it, it creates a lot of competition and (lets us know) what we need to acquire or who's good enough to maybe be here (or for) depth we need in Triple-A."

Sveum and staff have seen just about everything the organization has at the high level of the minor leagues and it is clear there are no Kerry Woods or Mark Priors on the horizon.

Berken, already 28, was claimed on waivers from the Orioles after parts of four seasons compiling a 10-17 record.

Justin Germano, age 30 and with a 2-7 record, was purchased from the Red Sox.

Rusin and Raley were Cubs' fourth- and sixth-round picks in the 2009 draft, although neither was above .500 after promotions to Triple-A Iowa this summer.

On Saturday, Berken hit the first Pirates batter he faced and it was downhill from there, with eight hits and six runs (two earned) in four innings. He put his team in a five-run hole before a ninth-inning rally ended with a bases-loaded strikeout of Dave Sappelt.

"Need to get better, have to get better, will get better," Berken said afterward.

Jeff Samardzija leads the staff with 28 and he has been shut down for the season. Travis Wood has started 22 games after beginning in the minors and Chris Volstad has started 17 after spending a stretch in the minors.

Matt Garza is on the disabled list after 18 starts and likely will be traded this winter or during next season.

So it is clear the Cubs need to find starters this offseason.

"Yeah, you have to," Sveum said. "That's where it all starts and that's the bottom line, whether it's depth or settling for the guys you have."